Set in a secluded glade in the woods around Larmer Tree Gardens, End of the Road's comedy stage is a big favourite, and this year's promises to be the funniest and most lovable lineup yet. Here's the full bill, with notes by the festival's comedy creator Sarah Bennetto.
Phil Nichol
Multi-multi award winning Canadian livewire stand-up and brilliant actor. Nominated for the Perrier, and then went on to win it a few years later! His first ever appearance at EotR.
Michael Legge and Robin Ince: 'Pointless Anger, Righteous Ire'
Their infamous grumpy men show will be a late show at EotR 2013. Both will also be doing an afternoon stand-up set during the weekend. Passionate, hilarious tirades, delivered with a warm heart and a wink.
Nick Doody
An EotR first for this incisive political comedian and writer. A critic’s favourite, once he gets on a roll, it’s a thing to behold.
Joey Page
Described by his friend, Noel Fielding as "A stylish comedian with a sonic imagination and a twinkle in his eye", time spent in Joey’s wonderful world will lighten your soul. As seen on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, this will be Joey’s first appearance at EotR. We are chuffed to have him!
Colin Hoult
A cavalcade of comedy characters that are some kind of warped genius. It’s no surprise he’s on every TV show going at the moment (from Being Human to Russell Howard’s Good News and Harry Hill’s TV Burp, and more!). Colin’s first ever appearance at EotR.
Tom Allen
Tom Allen is charm embodied. But don’t be fooled, there’s sharp wit behind the glint in his eye. Tom’s now famous spontaneous rant at No Direction Home Festival about his somewhat modest tent, the Vango Banshee 200, had people crying tears of hilarity. Not to be missed.
Sarah Bennetto
Stand-up comic and host of radio show, Mix-Tape, Sarah also hosts Storytellers’ Club. Sarah has been touring a new show since her last EotR, and comes prepared with a swathe of new jokes and wild stories in her satchel.
Stuart Black
Bleak, brilliant tirades about modern life. A whip-sharp wit, and comedian’s favourite. In many ways, Black, is a Dylan Moran for the anti-folk generation. First time at EotR.
Chris Coltrane
Chris’ ascent has been rapid for a reason: he’s very good at jokes and it’s obvious he cares about his fellow man. Irreverent, political musings, remarkable stories, coupled with sharp writing mean this EotR debut will be sure to impress.
John Robins
Compering one afternoon’s stand-up show. A terrific stand-up, who – as it happens – names all his shows with song references (including songs by Bon Iver and Godspeed You! Black Emperor). When he’s onstage, fun is sure to follow.
Robin and Partridge
Compering an afternoon show. This comedy duo bring to EotR their free-wheeling whimsy, with killer punchlines. Both clever minds, their sense of wonder and magic means there’ll be loads of clowning around from these two criminally pretty boys.
Felicity Ward A hotly-tipped Australian stand-up and actor, in demand all over the world. With great and gruesome characters and heart-wrenchingly hilarious tales, she'll make you love her. This is Felicity's first time at EotR.
Storytellers’ Club
A selection of the best comedians (and sometime EotR musicians!) join Sarah Bennetto to tell their amazing tales. Always popular.
The music lineup at this year's End of the Road Festival is topped by Belle and Sebastian, Sigur Rós, David Byrne & St Vincent and Eels.
In addition to the comedy line-up announcement, Larmer Tree have another truck load of new artists to reveal including, energetic Malian guitarist VieuxFarka Touré, icons of the ska revival The Selecter with Pauline Black, New Zealand’s psychedelic pop troupe The Phoenix Foundation and the prince of British Bangra Jassi Sidhu, plus many more.
With a Comedy Club that has seen the likes of Rich Hall, Sean Hughes, David O’Doherty and Russell Howardtake to the mic and bring the house down, Larmer Tree Festival has gained a reputation over the past few years of having one of the best comedy line-ups on the festival calendar, and 2011 backs up this accolade!
The first headliner to be announced for 2011 is Russell Kane, a multi-talented writer and performer who has firmly established himself as one the best comics in the UK today. Currently on a sell-out national tour with his award winning show, Russell has been described as “Probably the most exciting comic discovery of the year” by Chortle and “a performer with the instincts of a rabble-rouser” by Time Out.
Next on the bill is national treasure Arthur Smith. Often found spread across the BBC on TV and radio shows like QI, Have I Got News for You, Grumpy Old Men and many more, Arthur is a comedian, writer, broadcaster and all-round British institution. Known for his sublime playfulness he is bursting with jokes, anecdotes, short stories, poems and songs. Accompanying Arthur Smith and Russell Kane as headliners for the rib tickling pleasure of the Comedy Club’s audience are two other truly unique performers;
Phil Nichol, an acclaimed actor, award winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician, there is just no end to this man’s talent! With a surreal edge to some of his mischievous rantings, he always brings something new to the stage with his keen sense of fun and eye for the shocking and absurd.
Lastly but by no means least, is the cheeky, quick witted and effervescent Andi Osho,winning the prestigious Nivea Funny Women award in 2007, she has since then made a big splash on the comedy scene. As well as an established performer on the stand up circuit, Andi is a popular guest on radio and TV. “Translating Osho’s words to the page doesn’t do her proper
justice… her work is visual, narrative and pivots on her perfect delivery.” The Guardian.
Additional acts in the bag for this year are; multi award-winning Scotsman Phil Kay with his marvelous freewheeling stand-up; Yorkshire funny man Tom Wigglesworth; guitar-playing comedian Rob Deering;nominee forFoster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010 for Best NewcomerGareth Richards. The Awesomewinners of the Chortle Award for best sketch show 2011Late Night GimpFight;2010 Winners of The Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and the Musical Comedy AwardsAbandoman; Major break-through comedy actress and emerging queen of the sitcom Sara Pascoe and finally, the big characters, inventive sketches and fast-paced fun of Wittank. All will be held together by the up and coming young comperes; James Acaster, Iain Stirling, Fergus Craig and Joel Dommett.
On top of announcing the first wave of comedy gold to grace the gardens of Larmer Tree, there are also some new exciting acts to unveil! Joining Seasick Steve, Imelda May, Asian Dub Foundation, Stornoway and many others on the eclectic and hand-picked line up for 2011 Larmer Tree are pleased as punch to announce the appearance of Vieux Farka Touré. The son of one of the uncontested trailblazers of African music, the late Ali Farka Touré, and a major artist in his own right Vieux has earned himself the nickname of ‘the Hendrix of the Sahara’ and played to millions worldwide when he was invited to perform at the World Cup opening concert in South Africa in 2010. Another new addition the ever expanding Larmer Tree line up are two-tone ska funkstersThe Selecter. With the full band line up reuniting in the summer of 2010, Pauline Black regrouped with Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson as The Selecter for the 30th Anniversary of their no. 5 UK album “Too Much Pressure”. Get ready for hits such as Gangsters vs. The Selecter,On My Radio and the ska anthem Three Minute Hero. Also added to the bill are; New Zealand’s The Phoenix Foundation withtheir psychedelic pop that has been described as Byrds meets the Beach Boys with a bit of Fleet Foxes’ haziness. British Bhangra sensation Jassi Sidhu joins the line up alongside the eccentric and flamboyant spectacle of Gabby Young and Other Animalswho fuse gypsy, folk, jazz and rock. Honorary member of the large Larmer family, Legendary DJ Derek will be on hand to hypnotise the peacocks and patrons alike with his patois banter and epically large ska and reggae funk trunk!
With all of this (and much more) packed into five days of pure discovery and escapism, Larmer Tree HQ have been working hard to ensure that the first day’s activities set the standard! On the opening day of the festival, Wednesday 13th July, Jools Holland and his 24 piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with his very special guestSandie Shaw will be joined by: the funky voiced Hannah Williams with her soul infused Tastemakers starting and ending the evening to ensure it’ll be a night to remember for all the right reasons; Scoundrels, a young London based blues band who are already well on the road to future stardom; the fantastic C W Stoneking who began playing guitar at the age of 11, and during his teens soaked up pre-war acoustic blues, jazz and calypso to create his own unique style – and he’ll be doing two sets; finally, don’t miss the juggling beatboxer sensation that isVid Warren!
Tickets are on sale with options ranging from individual day tickets, 3-day, 4-day or a full 5-day option, all with camping and car parking included. For more information on tickets please visit the website:http://www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/tickets.html
FULL MUSIC LINE UP SO FAR:
Seasick Steve / Jools Holland and his R&BO with special guest Sandie Shaw / Imelda May / Ozomatli / Asian Dub Foundation / Bellowhead / Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain / Seth Lakeman / Stornoway / Show of Hands Vieux Farka Touré / Caitlin Rose / The Selecter with Pauline Black / Batucada Sound Machine / C W Stoneking / The Phoenix Foundation / Watcha Clan / Jassi Sidhu / Spiers and Boden / Heidi Talbot / Krystle Warren / Gabby Young & Other Animals / Jaipur Kawa Brass Band / GaBLé / The Coal Porters / 3 Daft Monkeys / Muntu Valdo / The Staves / Delta Maid / Mama Rosin / Cosmo Jarvis / Alejandro Toledo & The Magic Tombolinos / Penny Black Remedy / The Dodge Brothers / Boppin’B / Allo Darlin’ / Sheelanagig / Skinny Lister / Pete Lawrie / Moscow Drug Club / Buffalo Gals / Emily Portman / Derrin Nauendorf / DJ Derek / My First Tooth / Rory McLeod / Matthew and the Atlas / Polly and the Billets Doux / Kalakuta Millionaires / Kidnap Alice / Goodnight Lenin / Rosie Doonan / ahab / Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin / Megan Henwood / Ruth Theodore / Barnaby Keen Band / Baila la Cumbia / Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers / The Bamana Project / Scoundrels / The Gramophone Party / Police Dog Hogan / City Stereo / The Joker & The Thief / Vid Warren / Kitty Macfarlane / Tinderbox / Fearne / The Mopes / Disco’s Out (Murder’s in)
COMEDY LINE UP SO FAR:
Comedy Line up: Russell Kane / Arthur Smith / Phil Nichol / Andi Osho / Phil Kay / Tom Wrigglesworth / Rob Deering / Gareth Richards / Late Night Gimp Fight / Abandoman / Wittank / Sara Pascoe / James Acaster / Iain Stirling / Fergus Craig / Joel Dommett
